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Prevent Travel Hassles with These Under-the-Radar Tips

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Travel

Prevent Travel Hassles with These Under-the-Radar Tips

In previous blog posts, I have suggested useful items to pack when traveling. Here are some additional under-the-radar travel tips for avoiding some major inconveniences, such as having your data stolen, running out of juice on your phone, and paying fees for overweight luggage.

So many items now have RFID chips for quick scanning. These chips can save you time during transactions, but they also give crooks a way of picking your pocket without making physical contact with you. RFID blocking sleeves protect your credit/debit card and passport information from being scanned by a “digital pickpocket” who is near you on the street, in a restaurant, store, or other public building. You can even get wallets and purses with RFID protection built in.

Having your phone run out of juice while you are out sightseeing is a major inconvenience. Think of all the things you need your phone for: keeping in touch with fellow travelers, taking photos, calling for an Uber, making online dinner reservations, yadda, yadda, yadda. One solution is a power bank or portable charger. Charge it up at home or in your hotel and use it to power up your phone on the go. Most hold a charge for months until used; you then simply recharge it for next time.

Another solution is taking your power cord with you and plugging it into a public USB outlet. You must be careful with these, though, as hackers can tinker with those outlets to infect your phone (or tablet) with malware, even possibly install malicious code to access and steal your data. A small, inexpensive device known as a USB data blocker can protect you. A USB data blocker is a device that lets your smartphone or tablet into USB charging ports including charging kiosks, and USB ports on gadgets owned by other people, including those on airplanes and at airports.

Taking lots of photos? Make sure they are being backed up to the cloud in case your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged.

To avoid the hassle of having your credit card or ATM declined, be sure to notify your credit card company and bank of your travel plans. Otherwise, transactions from unusual locations, especially outside the United States, might be flagged as fraud. While you are at it, find out about what ATMs you can use at your destination and what the fees are. Likewise, find out about foreign exchange fees when you use your credit card or withdraw foreign currency from an ATM.

Finally, scan and store copies of your travel documents (itinerary, passport, airplane tickets, hotel confirmations) in the cloud (iCloud, Dropbox, or other online storage app) or in the “secure notes” section of your password manager. You should also have copies of your drivers’ license, health insurance card(s), eyeglass prescription, and a list of medications in the cloud, just in case.

Shifting gears now away from electronics, are you someone who overpacks and worries about paying fees for overweight luggage? Invest in an inexpensive, portable luggage scale so you know before you arrive at the airport what your suitcase weighs and can take mitigating action. (Leave behind some clothes or shoes? Pack more into your carryon? Ship souvenirs home?) Travel experts say that we should take out at least a third of what we originally pack.

Hopefully with these tips to prepare ahead, you can enjoy a wonderful summer vacation!

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Do You Suffer From Lethologica?

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Memory

Do You Suffer From Lethologica?

I recently added a new word to my vocabulary: Lethologica, the inability to remember a particular word or name

Now, I just need to remember “lethologica”!

If you are like me, here are some effective strategies to enhance your memory:

  1. Stay mentally active: Engage in activities that challenge your brain, such as puzzles, reading, learning a new language, or playing a musical instrument. Regular mental stimulation helps keep your brain sharp.
  2. Get enough sleep: Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to enhance your memory and cognitive function.
  3. Eat a brain-healthy diet: Include foods rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins to support brain health. Foods like blueberries, fatty fish, turmeric, broccoli, nuts, and seeds can be beneficial.
  4. Regular exercise: Physical exercise not only benefits your body but also improves brain function and memory. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week.
  5. Manage stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact memory. Practice stress management techniques like meditation and deep breathing exercises or engage in relaxing activities to reduce stress levels.
  6. Break information into chunks: Instead of trying to remember large amounts of information all at once, break it into smaller, more manageable chunks. This technique, known as chunking, helps your brain process and retain information more effectively. This is precisely why telephone numbers and our social security numbers are broken into chunks of three each.
  7. Use mnemonic devices: Mnemonic techniques can aid memory by associating information with vivid images, acronyms, or rhymes. For example, create a phrase to remember a series of items. You might have learned the names of the planets and colors of the rainbow with mnemonic phrases.
  8. Repeat and review: Repetition and regular review can reinforce memories. Practice retrieving information multiple times to strengthen your memory of it. Never forget a person’s name by working it into your conversation three times when you first meet him or her.
  9. Stay organized: Keep your physical and digital spaces organized, use calendars or planners to manage tasks and appointments, and make to-do lists. Being organized reduces mental clutter and frees up cognitive resources for better memory.
  10. Stay socially engaged: Social interaction and maintaining strong relationships can support brain health. Engaging in conversations, participating in group activities, and connecting with others can stimulate your brain and memory.

Remember that everyone’s memory abilities differ, and it is normal to forget things occasionally. However, by implementing these strategies consistently, you can enhance your memory and cognitive functioning.

Want to read more about memory?

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Organize a Drink Station for Your 4th of July BBQ

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in 4th of July, Holidays, Recipe

Organize a Drink Station for Your 4th of July BBQ

Celebrating the 4th of July with a BBQ? To save yourself some time that day to enjoy everyone’s company, perhaps you would consider setting up a self-serve drink station. Here is how:

  • Decide if you will be providing alcoholic beverages. If so, will you serve beer, wine, and/or cocktails?
  • Always provide non-alcoholic drink options.
  • Chill items that need to be served cold. A simple way to do so is to have a large tub filled with ice.
  • Make sure, though, to have a separate container to hold ice for the drinks as no one wants to use that same ice in their beverages.
  • Provide a few recipe cards in case guests are unsure how to make a mixed drink. Make sure the print is large! The recipes can be put in a cute frame in the drink area. You can even concoct a cute name for your … well … concoctions! If you are hosting a themed party, choose the cocktail options for your guests in advance, and make sure all the ingredients are laid out assembly line style in the order the appear on the recipe, like a serving line in a buffet.

Finally, offer nonalcoholic beverages as one way to ensure your guests do not leave drunk. Here are some suggestions:

Milkshakes, lemonade, mocktails and slushies. Whipped lemonade anyone?

Punches, spritzers, and mocktails

Creative combinations of fruits, vegetables, and spices

Color-changing lemonade slushies!

 

Happy 4th of July! May you have a safe and fabulous day of celebrations

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Practice Smart Time Management By Prioritizing

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Time Management

Practice Smart Time Management By Prioritizing

Prioritizing tasks is an essential part of effective time management. Here are some tips for doing so:

  • Make a to-do list: Write down all the tasks you need to do, and then prioritize them in order of importance. Use a tool like Todoist or Trello to help you keep track of your list.
  • Identify urgent vs. important tasks: Urgent tasks are those that require immediate attention, while important tasks are those that have a significant impact on your goals or values. Tasks can be urgent and important, urgent and unimportant, non-urgent and important, and non-urgent and non-important.
  • Tackle tasks systematically: Focus first on urgent and important tasks, then, depending on deadlines, consequences, and your energy level, move on to the urgent and unimportant or non-urgent and important. As for the non-urgent and non-important items? Well, what are they doing on your list anyway? Do those on a day when you have absolutely nothing else to do, when inclement weather traps you indoors, or when you are caught up on all the shows you are streaming.
  • Consider deadlines: If a task has a deadline, make sure to prioritize it accordingly. Try to complete that task well before the deadline to avoid feeling stressed and rushed.
  • Break down larger tasks: Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable tasks to help you make progress and feel less overwhelmed.
  • Evaluate the consequences: What are the potential consequences of not completing a task? Can you live with those consequences?
  • Consider your energy levels: Handle tasks that require the most energy and focus during your peak times. For example, if you are a morning person, tackle your most important tasks in the morning.
  • Be flexible: Your priorities may change throughout the day or week. Be willing to adjust your to-do list as needed to accommodate new tasks or changes in circumstances.

When you complete a task, be sure to cross it off your to-do list so you can enjoy the rush of feel-good hormones!

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Organize Your Backyard Shed and Find the Garden Tools You Thought You Lost

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Garden, Home

Organize Your Backyard Shed and Find the Garden Tools You Thought You Lost

If you are fortunate enough to have a backyard shed, you might find that over the years you have accumulated lots of “stuff” that you stored rather haphazardly.

To make the most of your outdoor space and to keep your tools and equipment easily accessible, set aside time to organize your shed by doing the following:

  • Empty the shed: Take everything out of the shed and sort it into categories, such as gardening tools, power tools, and sports equipment.
  • Declutter: Decide what you really need and what can be donated, sold, or thrown away. Be honest with yourself and keep only what you will use in the future.
  • Clean: Sweep or vacuum the floor, wipe down surfaces, and repair any damage.
  • Evaluate your space: Decide how you want to use the space. Make sure to leave enough room to move around and access everything easily.
  • Install shelving and storage systems: Invest in shelves, cabinets, or storage systems to make the most of your vertical space. This will help you keep your items off the ground and create more floor space.
  • Use hooks and pegboards: Hooks and pegboards are great for storing tools and equipment that cannot be stored on shelves.
  • Label everything: Use clear, easy-to-read labels on your storage containers so you can easily find everything. Consider color-coding for extra organization.
  • Keep it organized: Once you have organized your shed, make sure to keep it that way. Put everything back where it belongs after each use and make time for regular maintenance to prevent clutter from building up again.

Now when you need your gardening tools, you will be able to see and locate them quickly. Just remember to put them back where you found them when you are done using the tools.

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Preparing for Surgery? What the Doctor May Not Tell You

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Medical, Surgery

Preparing for Surgery? What the Doctor May Not Tell You

Facing an upcoming surgery? Your surgeon will indeed prepare you for surgery, but there are other considerations for you to anticipate on your own.

Your surgeon will tell you what tests you need to take before surgery, what medications to stop taking, and to stop smoking if you are a smoker. You may also be given instructions for preparing your home (such as rearranging furniture for a wheelchair, or crutches, or installing handrails in the bathroom) and for arranging a ride home from the hospital.

Surgeons are concerned with the details that will enable a safe and successful surgery. Other preparations, however, are simply not on their radar, such as:

  1. Transportation: In addition to a ride home from the hospital, you might need rides to and from follow-up appointments.
  2. Day-to-day assistance: In the days following your surgery, you might need some assistance with everyday tasks, such as bathing and dressing, meal preparation, laundry, and cleaning.
  3. Help with children: You might need someone to prepare your child’s lunch, meet the school bus, or drive him/her to and from school.
  4. Help with pets: You might not be able to bend to fill water dishes or take your dog for a walk; ergo, the need to enlist assistance.

On the day of your surgery, leave valuables (wallet, phone, smart watches, and jewelry) at home. Double check in advance whether you will need to remove your wedding ring.  My sister was shocked with this recent change at her hospital as she had never removed her wedding ring since her husband put it on her finger 28 years prior!  When she balked at removing it, she was told that her surgery would be cancelled…… Forewarned is forearmed. Furthermore, bring a photo ID and your insurance card if so instructed. If you wear eyeglasses, take an empty case in which to put them while you are in surgery—and put your name and phone number on or inside the case.

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How to Create a Budget

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Budget, Finances

How to Create a Budget

Creating a budget can be an effective way to manage your finances as a step towards achieving your financial goals. Here are some steps to get started:

  1. Determine your income: Start by determining your total monthly take-home income, including any wages, salaries, bonuses, and other sources.
  2. List your expenses: Make a list of all your monthly expenses, including fixed expenses (such as rent or mortgage payments, insurance premiums, and loan payments) and variable expenses (such as groceries, entertainment, and transportation). Remember to include monthly club dues, and amounts you choose to save or to invest. As my late Father used to say, “Pay yourself first.”
  3. Categorize your expenses: Categorize your expenses into essential and non-essential categories. Essential expenses are those that are necessary for basic living, while non-essential expenses are those that are not necessary but are nice to have.
  4. Assign amounts to each category: Assign a dollar amount to each category based on your past spending and your financial goals. Be realistic and make sure you can stick to your budget.
  5. Track your spending: Keep track of your actual spending and compare it to your budgeted amounts. This will help you identify areas where you may be overspending or underspending.
  6. Adjust: Adjust your budget as needed to reflect changes in your income or expenses. For example, if you receive a raise or bonus, you may want to increase your savings or allocate more money to non-essential expenses.
  7. Review and revise your budget regularly: Review and revise your budget regularly, such as every month or every quarter, to ensure that you are staying on track and making progress toward your financial goals.

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May is National Moving Month

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Moving, Packing

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/a-buy-me-a-coffee-advertising-987096/

May is National Moving Month. If you are planning to move, here are some tips for packing:

  1. Start early: Packing takes a lot of time and effort, so start as early as possible. Begin by packing items that you will not be needing soon, such as out-of-season clothing, books, and holiday decorations.
  2. Declutter: Moving is the perfect time to declutter your home. Get rid of items that you no longer need or use. This will not only save you time and effort when packing, but it will also save you money on moving costs.
  3. Label boxes: Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This will make unpacking much easier and save you time when you arrive at your new home. It may seem like overkill, but label two sides as well as the top of box as you will not know how those boxes may be stacked once in your new abode.
  4. Use sturdy boxes: Make sure to use sturdy boxes and packing materials to protect your belongings during transport. You can purchase moving boxes from moving companies, hardware stores, or online.Often, liquor stores will let you take their heavy boxes.  Egg crates from grocery stores work well, too.
  5. Pack fragile items carefully: Use bubble wrap or packing paper to wrap fragile items, and make sure to label the box as fragile. You can also use towels, blankets, or clothing to provide extra cushioning.
  6. Pack heavy items in small boxes: Pack heavy items, such as books and dishes, in small boxes to prevent them from becoming too heavy to carry.
  7. Use bags for soft items: Use trash bags or large plastic bags to pack soft items, such as bedding, pillows, and stuffed animals. This will save space in your moving truck and make it easier to transport these items.
  8. Pack an “essentials” box: Pack a box with essentials that you will need for your first night in your new home, such as toiletries, a change of clothes, and bedding. Label this box or boxes “Open Me First”, and prominently indicate the room in which to place it.
  9. Consider hiring professionals: If you have a lot of items to move or fragile items that require special attention, consider hiring professional movers to pack and transport your belongings. Reputable companies will come to your current home to see what you must move and, more importantly, to give you an estimate of the cost.
  10. Placement of boxes: Ask your movers to make sure the boxes are placed such that the labels are facing out so that you can see what is in each box.

I have helped numerous clients move.  By so doing, I have found that the more organized you are in the packing process, the easier it is to settle into your new home.

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Kick Off Spring with a Thorough Cleaning

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Cleaning, Spring

Kick Off Spring with a Thorough Cleaning

Spring is a time of renewal and growth, and there is no better way to kick off the season than with a thorough spring cleaning. Spring cleaning is an opportunity to declutter your home, refresh your space, and start the season off on the right foot.

Benefits of Spring Cleaning

  1. Reduces stress: Clutter can be a major source of stress and anxiety. By decluttering your home, you can create a more peaceful and organized environment that will help you feel calmer and more relaxed.
  2. Improves health: Cleaning your home can help improve air quality and reduce the number of allergens and dust in your spaces. It can also help reduce the spread of germs and bacteria, which can lead to a healthier household.
  3. Boosts productivity: A clean and organized space can help you be more productive and focused. You will be able to find what you need more easily, and you will not be distracted by clutter and mess. Hard work generally seems to beget more hard work, so who knows where you will stop!

Tips for Spring Cleaning

  1. Plan: Before you start spring cleaning, decide what you want to accomplish. Be careful not to take on too much; begin with something very doable first. Create a checklist of tasks and prioritize them based on what is most important.
  2. Declutter first: Start by decluttering your space. Go through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need or use. Donate or sell items in good condition and recycle or dispose of anything that cannot be reused.
  3. Clean room by room: Focus on one room at a time, and deep clean each area. This includes dusting, vacuuming, and wiping down surfaces.
  4. Remember the details: Pay attention to the details, like cleaning the windows, scrubbing the baseboards, and washing curtains and blinds. Think nooks and crannies and … corners.

Get the whole family involved: Spring cleaning can be a family activity. Assign tasks to each family member based on age and ability, and work together to get the job done. Experience shows that sweat equity will help the whole family to keep the house cleaner!

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Make the Most of Meal Prep

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Cooking, Food, Time Management

Make the Most of Meal Prep

Preparing meals in advance can be a game-changer for busy families. Whether you have a busy schedule or just want to simplify mealtime, meal prepping can make a noticeable difference in your life. What follows are some tips for and benefits of preparing meals in advance:

Benefits of Meal Prepping

  1. Saves time: By preparing meals in advance, you can save time during the week. Instead of spending time each day cooking, you can have everything ready to go and spend more time with your family or doing other things you enjoy.
  2. Saves money: Meal prepping can also save you money in the long run. By buying ingredients in bulk and preparing meals yourself, you can save money on takeout and pre-packaged foods.
  3. Reduces stress: Knowing that your meals are already prepared can reduce stress and anxiety around mealtime. You will not have to worry about what to cook or what ingredients you need.
  4. Promotes healthy eating: Meal prepping can help you eat healthier by giving you more control over portions and the ingredients in your meals. You can choose to use fresh, whole foods, avoiding preservatives and other additives.

Tips for Meal Prepping

  1. Plan your meals: Before you start meal prepping, take some time to plan out your meals for the week. This will ensure that you have everything you need in advance and will also serve to avoid wasting food.
  2. Choose recipes wisely: When selecting recipes, choose ones that can be easily reheated or assembled quickly. Also, consider those recipes that can be used in multiple meals, such as roasted chicken or a big pot of soup.
  3. Prep ingredients in advance: Prepare all the ingredients for your meals in advance, such as chopping vegetables or cooking grains. This will save you time when ready to cook.
  4. Use the right containers: Use containers that are easy to stack and store in the refrigerator or freezer. Glass containers with airtight lids are a great option because they can be used in the oven or microwave.
  5. Label and date everything: Label each container with the name of the dish and the date it was prepared. This will help you keep track of what you have and avoid eating expired food.

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